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Article published Dec 10, 2003
Bauer's high profile raises a few eyebrows
Lee Bandy
Knight Ridder Newspapers
COLUMBIA -- Andre
Bauer is as active as any previous South Carolina lieutenant governor, prompting
political observers to wonder what he's up to."I haven't seen any like him,"
says South Carolina state Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Aiken, who has observed his share
of lieutenant governors in his 24 years in the General Assembly.The office of
lieutenant governor is insignificant in terms of power. It's an office South
Carolina could abolish and would not miss.But Bauer, a self-promoter, is making
something of it."He is using the office to enhance his profile and to increase
his identity," says College of Charleston political scientist Bill Moore.Pundits
and politicians suggest he's gearing up to run for governor. They're just not
sure which year. Maybe 2006 or 2010?"I'm flattered," Bauer says.When asked if he
would challenge Gov. Mark Sanford, a fellow Republican, Bauer doesn't give a
direct answer.Polls show Sanford's job approval ratings to be sky high -- well
above 60 percent.Others suggest Bauer is positioning himself in case Sanford
doesn't seek re-election."There's so much talk out there that Sanford might not
run again," says Senate Democratic leader John Land of Manning. "Andre is aware
of that, and he is right at Sanford's heels."Sanford isn't saying what he will
do.There's not much love lost between the Sanford and Bauer camps.When Sanford
spent two weeks at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama to fulfill his obligations
as an Air Force reservist last spring, he declined to write a letter signing the
governor's duties over to Bauer.Bauer later opposed Sanford's top legislative
initiative, which would have increased taxes on cigarettes while phasing out the
state income tax. Bauer also has been known to speak harshly of the governor in
private.Bauer operates in a campaign mode constantly. It's not unusual to see
him walking around talking on two cell phones at the same time or busy signing
birthday cards to constituents."He's young, very ambitious, got a good sense of
humor and certainly well liked by the public," says state Sen. Arthur Ravenel,
R-Charleston. "He's just a ball of energy."Too much energy, sometimes. Bauer was
charged with reckless driving in a May traffic incident that ended with a police
officer pulling a gun on him. The officer said Bauer got out of his truck and
moved toward him in "an aggressive manner."The charge was dropped as he pleaded
guilty to two lesser charges. He paid a fine for driving too fast for conditions
and disregarding a traffic control device.Mike Campbell, 35, son of former GOP
Gov. Carroll Campbell, is considering running for lieutenant governor in
2006."This is something I have strongly considered before, but the timing didn't
seem right," Campbell says. "But I have been approached by several people about
doing this. It seems the encouragement gets louder and louder everywhere I
go."If I do throw my hat into the ring, it will be a concerted Campbell effort,
and I will run the hardest race we can."Paula Harper Bethea, former chairwoman
of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, says the business community would
welcome a Campbell race. "That's something they would embrace," she said.But
state Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, cautions that "those who underestimate
Bauer's political skills will end up on the losing side."